Tampon insertion device

ABSTRACT

A tampon insertion device which comprises the combination of a tapered or round-nosed tampon having a detachable inserter rod seated in its base, and an outer protective tube having a tapered insertion-aiding forward end. The trailing end of the protective tube is closed off by a snap-in, pressure fit, or adhesively attached cap which functions as a closure, guide, and lock for the insertion rod.

United States Patent Werner et a1.

[ July 4, 1972 [54] TAMPON INSERTION DEVICE [72] Inventors: Edward E.Werner; Edward G. Wollank,

211 App1.No.: 101,913

2,386,590 10/1945 Calhoun 1 28/263 X 3,034,508 5/1962 Nalle ..l28/2633,347,234 /1967 Voss 1 28/260 Primary Examiner-L. W. TrappAttorney-Daniel J. Hanlon, Jr., William D. Herrick and Raymond J. Miller[57] ABSTRACT A tampon insertion device which comprises the combination[52] of a tapered or round-nosed tampon having a detachable ing /03serter rod seated in its base, and an outer protective tube hav- 1 o are7 26 ing a tapered insertion-aiding forward end. The trailing end of theprotective tube is closed off by a snap-in, pressure fit, or [56]References cued adhesively attached cap which functions as a closure,guide,

' UNITED STATES PATENTS and lock for the insertion rod.

940,519 1 1/1909 Eastman 128/263 X Claims, 21 Drawing Figures l7 3| 2?I70 I70 |7b 7 29 lo 3lo 28 28 32 30 33a 33b 33b A 32. 3O 4A 320 320 5AH32b 32b P'A'TENTEDJUL 4 I972 3.674, 026 SHEET 2 [IF 2 1 TAMPON INSERTIONDEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A catamenial tampon product presentlyon. the market comprises an absorbent pledget compressed to aself-sustaining base into which an inserter rod is detachably seated. Amore detailed description may be found in US. Pat. No. 3,068,867 toBletzinger et aL'dated Dec. 18, 1962.,

This tampon-inserter rod combination is normally enclosed in aprotective wrapper comprising a closed-end sleeve of light-weight paper,which wrapper must be removed to uncover the tampon before insertion.Since this arrangement requires that the absorbent surface of the tamponbe uncovered before insertion, it follows that at least the leading edgeof this absorbent surface must contact the body-orifice walls as it isbeing inserted. While .the removablewrapper preserves the hygienicaspects of the tampon up until the time it is ready for use, and whilethere are no real objections to the above-described body contact, itwould appear more desirable if a way could be devised to provide theabsorbent tampon element with some type of cover which would protect thetampon from inadvertent contamination while being prepared for insertionand which would remain in place until after insertion is essentiallycompleted. Tampon insertion devices comprised of a pair of telescopingtubes already serve this purpose, of course, since the tampon-containingtube element is inserted by the user before the tampon is ejected.However, tampons which employ an inserter rod or stick offer betterplacement control and are therefore preferred by many users. Ac-

cordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide an insertiondevice which employs a protective tube cover for inserter rod or sticktype tampons while maintaining the other well known advantages of thislatter style tampon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, a tapered orroundnosed, absorbent tampon having an inserter rod detachably seated ina socket provided at the base of the tampon, is disposed within aprotective tube so that the entire tampon body and a front portion ofthe inserter rod are substantially enclosed. The protective tubecomprises a cylindrical member having a tapered forward end structureadapted to be opened automatically when the leading end of the tampon isurged thereagainst during the ejection step by the user. Typical outertube structures with a tapered forward end of this type may be found'inUS. Pat. No. 3,204,635 to Voss et al. dated Sept. 7, 1965 and US. Pat.No. 3,433,225 to Voss et al. dated Mar. 18, 1969. The former patentdescribes a paperboard tube in which abutting dovetail folds form thetapered forward end. The latter patent describes a flexible plastic tubein which the tapered front end is comprised of multiple adjoiningpetal-like segments. In this invention the structure of either of thesetubes is modified by having the trailing end closed off with a fittedcap in the form of a snap-in or pressure fitted disc. The cap may alsobe adhesively attached. The cap has a central aperture in which theinserter rod. is slidably positioned. Another aperture or cut-outportion is provided to interrupt the peripheral edge portion of the cap.This latter aperture is disposed adjacent the tube wall when the cap isin place, where it provides an opening through which the withdrawalstring of the tampon may extend without interference; In the preferredembodiments, the peripheral cut-out portion communicates with thecentral aperture by means of a slot-like channel. Both apertures maytake various configurations. In one embodiment, the central aperture iscylindrical and cooperates with a cylindrical rod of like diameter, sothat the latter may be rotated while in place. In another embodiment,that portion of the rod coincident with the cylindrical central aperturemay have a non-cylindrical cross-section which forms a temporary lockwith the central aperture. In still another embodiment, the centralaperture may be non-cylindrical and have a rod of like cross-sectiondisposed therein for non-rotational movement. In yet another embodiment,a portion of the roddisposed within the tube and immediately adjacentthe inner wall of the cap' may be larger in cross-section than thediameter of the central aperture to lock the rod against rearwardmovement.

The fitted cap permits easy assembly. In one method, the rod is firstfitted into the base of the tampon, the cap is slipped over the free endof the rod, the tampon is inserted into the tube, and the cap is snappedinto place, by means of mated ribs and grooves, to lock tampon and rodin position.

In another method the tampon and attached rod is inserted into the tube,the cap with connecting slot is slipped onto the stick from the side,and the cap moved into place.

In still another method, the cap with slot is connected to the tube by aflexible hinge, the tampon and attached rod are inserted in the tube andthe cap is then swung on its hinge, at which time the-stick slidesthrough the slot, and the cap is snapped in place. 7

In the finished assembly, the cap may also be held in place by apressure fit or by adhesive attachment. I

The above features and other advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent by reference to the following specification andaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a tampon insertiondevice according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the tampon, tubular element, and capof the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the interior face of one form of cap or discclosure as used in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken along line 3A-3A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the interior face of another form of discclosure.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken along line4A4A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the interior face of still another form ofclosure.

FIG. 5A is a sectional view taken along line 5A5A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a partial longitudinal section of another form of the device.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the disc closure utilized in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7A is a sectional view taken along line 7A-7A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the tube and discclosure portion of the device, with the closure shown in both open andclosed position.

FIG. 8A is an outer end view of the disc in closed position as disposedon the trailing end of the tube of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of another embodiment of a tampon device inaccordance with this invention.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section of the device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the interior face of the disc closure used inthe device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11A is a sectional view taken along line 11A11A of FIG. 1 1.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a rod suitable for use with the disc closure ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 12A is a side view of the FIG. 12 rod.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a rod suitable for use withthe disc closure ofFIG. 5. a

FIG. 13A is a side viewof the FIG. 13 rod.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, one embodiment of the tampon insertiondevice of this invention comprises a tampon enclosing tubular element15, an inserter rod 16, and a fitted disc-shaped cap 17. Cap 17 closesthe trailing end of tube 15, and also serves as a guiding and lockingmember for rod 16 which is slideably disposed therein.

The forward end of tube tapers down to a substantially closed tip 18 ofsmall diameter. The tapered tip comprises multiple flexible segments 19capable of flexing outward when the tampon 20 is pressed forward, asduring insertion. Tampon 20 has a rounded or tapered forward end, and isprovided with the usual withdrawal string 14. Rod 16 is detachablyseated in a shallow socket 21 in the base of tampon 20. The leading end22 of rod 16 is preferably mated with socket 21 in a manner to preventrelative rotation between rod 16 and tampon 20, as described in detailin U.S. Pat. No. 3,068,867. In accordance therewith, rod 16 is alsopreferably provided with a flattened trailing end 23 which provides theuser with a tactile indication of the relative axial disposition of thetampon for placement purposes.

In this embodiment, rod 16 is also provided with a raised ring portion24 disposed adjacent the inner wall of disc-like closure member 17 tolock the rod against rearward movement.

The outer circumference of the trailing end of tube 15 is preferablyprovided with a raised collar 25 which acts as a finger grip means.Other friction-increasing grip means may, of course, be employed.

The inner portion of the trailing end of tube 15 is provided with anannular raised rib 26 which cooperates with annular groove 29 of theclosure cap.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 3A closure' cap 17 is in theshape of a disc with a substantially flat outer face 27. The opposite,inner face 30 of cap 17 is provided with an annular ledge portion 28 ofless diameter than the cap. Ledge portion 28 protrudes from inner face30 sufficiently to provide space for an annular groove 29 disposedimmediately adjacent inner face 30. Cap 17 is also provided with afirst, centrally disposed, aperture 31 to receive rod 16, and a second,marginally disposed, aperture 32 which interrupts the peripheral edge ofthe cap and through which withdrawal string 14 extends. In this instancecentrally disposed aperture 31 is circular, but other configurations maybe used. Some of these being described below.

Cap 17, and other variations described herein, are preferably made offlexible plastic such as polyethylene, so that ledge portion 28 willflex sufficiently to pennit the cap to snap into the end oftube 15 toengage rib 26 in groove 29.

In this embodiment, aperture 31 is of slightly larger diameter than rod16, but of less diameter than ring 24. This arrangement preventsrearward movement, while permitting forward longitudinal movement of rod16 for ejection of the tampon. In this embodiment, rod 16 is also freelyrotatable within aperture 31, permitting axial rotation of tampon 20within tube 15 without causing rotation of tube 15. The tampon may thusbe axially positioned by the user to the desired alignment within thetube before ejection.

17a in FIGS. 4 and 4A identifies another embodiment of a suitableclosure cap. This embodiment is also provided with a centrally disposedcircular aperture 31a and a marginally disposed aperture 32d. However,it is additionally provided with slot-like channel 33a connecting thetwo apertures. Channel 33a is of narrower dimension than eitheraperture. The edge walls of the channel are of sufficient flexibility topermit rod 16 to be pushed sideways therethrough before the cap issnapped in place.

While rod 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is also suitable for use withclosure cap 17a, the style of rod indicated as 16a in FIGS. 12 and 12Ais preferred. This rod comprises a round stick having its ends and 41flattened, along with an interior portion 42. It is preferred that theplanar disposition of flattened portions 41 and 42 be perpendicular toflattened portion 40, although this is not essential. When flattenedportion 40 is perpendicular it will act as a stop against aperture 31awhen the tampon is completely ejected. Portion 42 is spaced away fromthe leading edge of rod 16a a sufficient distance to permit it tocooperate with aperture 31a and channel 33a of cap 17a as describedhereinafter. In assembling the device using the 16a style rod, tampon 20is first seated thereon and the tampon then partially inserted into tube15. Next, cap 17a is slid over flattened portion 42 by means of channel330. Withdrawal string 14 is then aligned with, and extended through,aperture 320 whereupon cap 17a is snapped in place. In the assembledstate, it will be seen that the upper edge 43 of the flattened portion42 of rod 16a will abutt against the top of aperture 31a causing thecenter of rod 16a to be slightly out of alignment with the center ofaperture 31a. As a result, the lower edge portion 44 will seat itselfbetween the edges of channel 33a, and shoulders 45 and 46 of rod willprevent backward or forward movement of the rod to temporarily lock therod in position. The interference between shoulders 45 and 46 and edgesof channel 33a is such that while accidental rearward or forwarddisplacement of the rod is prevented during shipment and handling,digital pressure on the end of rod 16a by the user will prevent forwardhuman movement for insertion of the tampon.

Still another embodiment of a suitable closure cap is indicated at 17bin FIGS. 5 and 5A. In this embodiment, centrally disposed aperture 31bis in the form of an elongate slot with circular ends. One endcommunicates with marginally disposed aperture 32b by connecting channel33b.

When the cap style shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A is employed, a rod of thestyle shown in FIGS. 13 and 13A and indicated at 16b is used. In thisembodiment of the rod a stick of initially round cross section may beflattened along almost its entire length as shown at 50 and 51. The onlyportions which are not flattened are trailing end portion 52 and twospaced portions 53 and 54, producing protuberances disposed at adistance from the leading edge of the rod the to cooperate with aperture31b. The arrangement employing this style rod and cap may be assembledin the same way as described for the arrangement employing rod style 16aand cap style 17a. Instead of starting with a round stick and pressingit into the described shape for the rod, the rod may be initially formedin the desired shape.

While in the arrangement using rod style 16 and cap style 17, the rodand tampon may be rotated independently of tube 15, in the latter twostyles described above and identified with letters a and b in thedescription, the tampon and tube must be rotated as a unit because ofthe non-rotational association of rod and cap. However, this arrangementstill permits axial alignment of the tampon and tube for properplacement as desired by the user, since the tampon is placed in apredetermined position within the tube during manufacture.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 7A show still another embodiment of the invention. Inthis arrangement, the style of tube 15 and tampon 20 are unchanged fromthat described above. Cap 17c is also shown as being capable of snappinginto place by using cooperative elements in the same manner as thearrangements previously described. However, rod 160 may be completelyround except for a flattened trailing edge and is held in place byflexible leaves 61 through which rod 160 is pushed. The spring-likeengagement of leaves 61 against the rod surface is sufficient to preventlongitudinal movement of the rod until desired by the user. The usualperipheral aperture 62 in the cap is also provided for the withdrawalstring in this arrangement. While a round rod 16c is shown, it isapparent that almost any cross-sectional configuration may be used inthis embodiment, permitting a broad range of design for structural orornamental reasons.

FIG. 8 shows still another embodiment of the invention wherein tube 65and cap 67 are of unitary construction. The tube 65 and cap 67 are castor molded as a single unit with the cap attached to the trailing end ofthe tube by a small flexible connecting strip 68 which serves as ahinge. The disposition of the cap as molded being shown by phantom linesat 67a. In assembling this embodiment, the stick and tampon are insertedinto tube 65. The cap in position 67a is then rotated on hinge 68 to theclosed position shown at 67. In the process of closing the cap, the rodwill pass through channel 63 and snap into position in central aperture65. The string, of course, is positioned to extend through peripheralaperture 64. The cap is held in place by the rib and groove arrangementpreviously described. It is also understood that the positions of riband groove are interchangeable. That is, the groove may be provided inthe tube wall and the rib on the cap ledge.

Still another embodiment of the invention may be found by reference toFIGS. 9, 10, I1 and 11A. In this embodiment, tube 75 is a paperboardstructure in which the tapered forward end 78 comprises abuttingdovetail folds of the type described in US. Pat. No. 3,204,635. Thetrailing end of tube 75 has smooth interior, rather than being providedwith an annular rib. Cap 77 comprises a corklike structure with anoffset tapering portion on one side which fits into tube 75 by apressure fit. The primary difference from the other embodiments is theuse of a cork-like cap, which is squeezed into the tube end and held inplace by the pressure-fit obtained thereby. The various othercooperating means between rod and cap previously described may bereadily incorporated into this arrangement.

In addition to providing a protective tube for stick-type tampons, thisinvention has an additional advantage in that the socket at the base ofthe tampon in which the rod is seated need not be as deep as is requiredwhen a protective tube is not employed. The locking arrangement betweencap and rod permits a stable structure which insures that the rod willremain seated in place until after ejection. While a snap-in or pressurefit arrangement have been shown and described, it is also contemplatedthat the cap may be secured in place by adhesive attachment, wherebyneither the snap-in or pressure fit is necessary. The adhesiveattachment may be achieved by a simple application of adhesive to matedparts. Alternatively, the cap or tube may be thermoplastic and sealedtogether by heat applied in the usual well-known manner.

The rod may be of various constructions. For example, it may be made ofrelatively stiff paper helically wound into a solid rod or a hollowtube. It may also be made from cast, extruded, pressure-formed orinjection molded plastic.

What is claimed is:

I. An insertion aiding device for a tampon of the type having aninserter rod detachably fitted into the base thereof and equipped withthe usual withdrawal string, said device comprising a tampon-enclosingtubular element with a substantially closed tapered forward end portionof a construction capable of opening radially as axial force is appliedagainst the interior thereof and a trailing end closed off by adisc-shaped member, said member having a first centrally disposedaperture for reception of said inserter rod and a second marginallydisposed aperture interrupting the outer periphery of said member, saidwithdrawal string extending through said second aperture, and the frontportion of said rod extending through said member in detachableengagement with the base of said tampon.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first aperture is circular andsaid rod is of matching circular cross-section and capable of rotationtherein while being in non-rotatable engagement with said tampon base.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the free end of said rod has prised offlexible segments to frictionally engage said rod.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein a narrow channel connects said firstaperture to said second aperture.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein a portion of said rod disposed withinsaid tubular element and adjacent said member is of larger cross-sectionthan the diameter of said first aperture. I

9. The device of claim 4 wherein a portion of said rod disposed withinsaid tubular element and adjacent the interior face of said member isprovided with protuberances which temporarily prevent rearwarddisplacement of said rod.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein a second portion of said rod disposedoutside said tubular element and adjacent the exterior face of saidmember is provided with protuberances which temporarily prevent forwarddisplacement of said rod.

11. The device of claim 4 wherein the free end of said rod has touchsensitive means adapted to indicate the axial disposition of said tamponwith respect to said touch sensitive means.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said tubular element comprises apaperboard tube and the tapered forward end portion is comprised ofabutting dovetail folds.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said disc-shaped member and ispressure-fitted inside the trailing end of said tube.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein said disc-shaped member is adhesivelybonded to the trailing end of said tube.

15. The device of 'claim 1 wherein said tubular element is comprised offlexible plastic and the tapered forward end portion is comprised ofmultiple adjoining petal-like segments.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the inner wall adjacent the trailingend of said tubular element and the interior face portion of saiddisc-shaped member have cooperating portions which mate to provide asnap-fit.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein the inner wall adjacent the trailingend of said tubular element is provided with an annular raised portionand said disc-shaped member is provided with an annular ledge portion onone face of less diameter than said member, said ledge being providedwith an annular groove adjacent said face, said rib and said groovebeing in mated engagement.

18. The device of claim 16 wherein said disc-shaped member is connectedto the trailing end of said tubular element by a flexible hinge.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein said disc-shaped member is connectedto the trailing end of said tubular element by a flexible hinge.

20. The device of claim 15 wherein said disc-shaped member is adhesivelybonded to the trailing end of said tubular element.

1. An insertion aiding device for a tampon of the type having aninserter rod detachably fitted into the base thereof and equipped withthe usual withdrawal string, said device comprising a tampon-enclosingtubular element with a substantially closed tapered forward end portionof a construction capable of opening Radially as axial force is appliedagainst the interior thereof and a trailing end closed off by adisc-shaped member, said member having a first centrally disposedaperture for reception of said inserter rod and a second marginallydisposed aperture interrupting the outer periphery of said member, saidwithdrawal string extending through said second aperture, and the frontportion of said rod extending through said member in detachableengagement with the base of said tampon.
 2. The device of claim 1wherein said first aperture is circular and said rod is of matchingcircular cross-section and capable of rotation therein while being innon-rotatable engagement with said tampon base.
 3. The device of claim 2wherein the free end of said rod has touch sensitive means adapted toindicate the axial disposition of said tampon with respect to said touchsensitive means.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said first aperture isof non-circular configuration and said rod is of matching non-circularconfiguration in cross-section and non-rotatable therein.
 5. The deviceof claim 4 wherein a narrow channel connects said first aperture withsaid second aperture.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said firstaperture is comprised of flexible segments to frictionally engage saidrod.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein a narrow channel connects saidfirst aperture to said second aperture.
 8. The device of claim 1 whereina portion of said rod disposed within said tubular element and adjacentsaid member is of larger cross-section than the diameter of said firstaperture.
 9. The device of claim 4 wherein a portion of said roddisposed within said tubular element and adjacent the interior face ofsaid member is provided with protuberances which temporarily preventrearward displacement of said rod.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein asecond portion of said rod disposed outside said tubular element andadjacent the exterior face of said member is provided with protuberanceswhich temporarily prevent forward displacement of said rod.
 11. Thedevice of claim 4 wherein the free end of said rod has touch sensitivemeans adapted to indicate the axial disposition of said tampon withrespect to said touch sensitive means.
 12. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid tubular element comprises a paperboard tube and the tapered forwardend portion is comprised of abutting dovetail folds.
 13. The device ofclaim 12 wherein said disc-shaped member and is pressure-fitted insidethe trailing end of said tube.
 14. The device of claim 12 wherein saiddisc-shaped member is adhesively bonded to the trailing end of saidtube.
 15. The device of claim 1 wherein said tubular element iscomprised of flexible plastic and the tapered forward end portion iscomprised of multiple adjoining petal-like segments.
 16. The device ofclaim 15 wherein the inner wall adjacent the trailing end of saidtubular element and the interior face portion of said disc-shaped memberhave cooperating portions which mate to provide a snap-fit.
 17. Thedevice of claim 15 wherein the inner wall adjacent the trailing end ofsaid tubular element is provided with an annular raised portion and saiddisc-shaped member is provided with an annular ledge portion on one faceof less diameter than said member, said ledge being provided with anannular groove adjacent said face, said rib and said groove being inmated engagement.
 18. The device of claim 16 wherein said disc-shapedmember is connected to the trailing end of said tubular element by aflexible hinge.
 19. The device of claim 17 wherein said disc-shapedmember is connected to the trailing end of said tubular element by aflexible hinge.
 20. The device of claim 15 wherein said disc-shapedmember is adhesively bonded to the trailing end of said tubular element.